GlobalSpa
07-Oct-2020
Explore Awadh’s culture and traditions. Discover heritage forts, palaces, shrines, temples, and other sights - all part of a rich Indian history that goes back centuries. India's Unmissable Experience series is curated by Rupali Dean.
If there's one thing India takes pride in, it's the neverending heritage and culture that binds the beauty of this nation. With a new variant of architecture in each piece, a different story set in different stones, we've got it all adorned neatly.
Part of this very heritage is the magnificent Mahmudabad Palace in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Known for its centuries of history and culture, here's why this Awadhi Palace is one to not miss.
A Cultural Reset: Mahmudabad Palace, Lucknow
One of the oldest estates in Awadh, the name Mahmudabad comes from Nawab Mahmud Khan, who was in fact titled by none other than Akbar the Great.
The tour around the property is enlightening and overwhelming - boasting extraordinary ceilings, extravagant tapestry, and chandeliers that can make anyone swoon. In Mahal Sarah which is the ladies' segment of the fort, a set of women still sit each day and meticulously create stunning chikan outfits under the label "Qilasaaz" which Vijaya Khan, Rani of Mahmudabad, overlooks. There is a family mosque in the grounds, as well as quite a few of imambadas.
Meals which are an integral part of a day trip (morning to early evening) are hosted by the family in their city-dwelling in Lucknow as well as in the Qila. The 400-year old gastronomic practice will blow you away the moment you step inside the majestic dining table.
ILHAM: Retreat for the Soul
The Qila of Mahmudabad is often viewed as a retreat for artists, writers, and intellectuals to find inspiration to create and collaborate.
The Royal Library, accessible only by appointment, is home to approximately twenty thousand books including early editions of 19th-century classics by Charles Dickens together with writings in Persian, Arabic, Urdu Latin, and Greek.
A standing ode to India's rich heritage, witness Mahmudabad for yourself: https://www.mahmudabad.in/discover
